For everyone who’s been asked, “Can you really make a living working on cars?”
… well, yeah. You can.
And with the hands-on experience and skills you’ll acquire in our Automotive program, you can turn your passion for the automotive world into a career you can bring with you anywhere. (Oh, and if you complete your required coursework and stay in good standing with the class? We’ll let you bring in your own vehicle to do course-related “live work” on.)
Get hours of hands-on training with 60% of your time spent in the shop!
engine management
Understand the inner workings.
diagnostics
Diagnose, report, and repair.
drivetrain & chassis
Get experience with the essentials.
Spend 6 months in four courses,
then choose your specialty
Week
1-6
engine management
What better place to kick off the program than in the heart of the vehicle itself? We’ll start off by learning about basic electricity, then move into operating a Digital Multimeter to measure voltage, volt drops, resistance, and amperage. From there, we’ll progress to the Starting and Charging systems and learn how to diagnose existing problems; explore engine fundamentals; walk through how the lubrication and cooling systems work in the engine; cover engine component inspections and repair; and prepare you to take the Snap-On Meter certification. Throughout this course, we’ll be using the latest versions of shop information, including All-Data, Shop-Key, and manufacturer service information systems.
- Customer relations
- Onboard diagnostics
- Powertrain control systems
Week
7-12
drivability diagnostics
Learn how to use the proper tools to diagnose and fix a problem correctly… the first time! We stock our shop with the same up-to-date tools and diagnostic equipment you’ll find on the job. In this course, we’ll teach you how to perform detailed sensor diagnostics, as well as how to use lab scopes and scan tools to examine fuel and ignition systems, navigation systems, and more. You’ll also get the opportunity to earn certifications on the tools you’ll be using for diagnostics throughout the Automotive program as a whole.
- Using diagnostic tools
- Examining fuel and ignition systems
- Performing detailed sensor diagnostics
Week
13-18
drivetrain systems
We start the course with a fully assembled automatic transmission… then immediately tear it down and spend the rest of our time learning how to put it back together correctly. Along the way, we’ll explore differentials; drivelines; four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive; manual clutches; manual transmissions and transaxles; planetary gears; precision measuring instruments; torque converters; transmission hydraulics and clutches; and removal and reinstallation of a front-wheel-drive transaxle. Upon completion of the transmission rebuild, you’ll dyno-test the transmission to ensure proper operation of all forward and reverse gears.
- Transaxle replacement/removal
- Electronic transmission diagnostics
- Using precision measuring instruments
Week
19-24
chassis
Get to know everything underneath the vehicle! As part of this section, we get into the heating and air-conditioning systems, teaching you how to work with R-12, R-134A, and newer 1234YF refrigerant systems. You’ll also get hands-on experience with brake systems, on-car brake surfacing with Pro-Cut equipment (and the ability to acquire a Pro-Cut On-Car certification), computerized four-wheel alignment, fasteners, steering and suspension systems, supplemental inflatable restraint systems (SIR), tires and wheel balancing, wheel bearings, traction control systems, and vibration analysis.
- HVAC repair and maintenance
- Tire and wheel balancing
- Vibration analysis
Week
25-36
Specialty Program
Most Automotive students choose Applied Service Management, High-Performance Power Trains, Chassis Fabrication, or Street Rod, all of which are designed to complement the skills you’ve learned in the Automotive program and help you stand out to employers in the industry.
7
Industry Certifications Available
- 609 EPA Certification
- MOPAR Career Automotive Program
- Mazda ACADEMY
- ALLDATA Information Specialist Certification
- Snap-On
- Pro-Cut
- ASE Entry-Level Certification
automotive technology Partners
